We are proud to announce that Tressler’s San Francisco Litigation Team has successfully prevailed on consecutive summary judgment motions on behalf of their clients. Our attorneys Gregory A. Mase, prepared both motions, while Christopher J. Hogan argued the first motion.

In the first case, the plaintiff was injured while working as an Animal Regulation Officer when she attempted to collect a stray horse and put it into a trailer. The plaintiff later sued the horse’s owners, asserting causes of action for (1) Strict Liability Domestic Animal with Dangerous Propensities; (2) Negligence Per Se; and (3) Negligence. The court granted the horse owners’ motion for summary judgment, finding that the plaintiff, in her capacity as an Animal Regulation Officer, assumed the risk that she could be injured by a dangerous animal such as a horse. The court granted the motion based on the doctrine of primary assumption of risk, which is a complete bar to recovery in California. In addition to prevailing on the motion, Tressler’s team will be pursuing its costs.

In the second case, the plaintiffs were injured when a co-defendant driver exited a car wash and crashed through the storefront of the insured’s salon. The plaintiffs sued the driver, the salon, and the salon’s landlord, and the landlord cross-complained against the salon based on an express indemnity provision in a lease between the parties.  After Tressler filed the summary judgment motion, the plaintiffs dismissed their complaint. The court later granted the salon’s summary judgment motion with respect to the landlord’s cross-complaint, finding that the accident was not caused by the salon’s use of the premises under the indemnity provision in the lease, resulting in the dismissal of the landlord’s claims for express and implied indemnity.

Congratulations to Greg, Chris, and the entire Tressler team on these victories! They are looking forward to prevailing on future dispositive motions for their clients.

About Gregory A. Mase

Greg is a partner in Tressler’s San Francisco office and a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Greg brings more than 32 years of experience to the firm. His practice focuses primarily on preparing, opposing, and arguing dispositive motions in high-stakes cases while maintaining a winning record. Greg has also briefed and argued numerous appeals in the California Courts of Appeal and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Click here to read Greg’s full attorney biography.

About Christopher J. Hogan

Chris is a partner in Tressler’s San Francisco office. He is a strategic and accomplished attorney with over 27 years of experience delivering solid settlement and trial results for both corporate and individual clients. Chris is an adept researcher with a proven record of navigating highly nuanced and complex cases to achieve favorable results. He has demonstrated success in a wide variety of business disputes, insurance matters, real estate matters, employment/discrimination, and general liability cases. Click here to read Chris’ full attorney biography.